EDMOND (May 28) -- University of Central Oklahoma president W. Roger Webb introduced Joe Muller as the school's new athletic director during a Wednesday press conference at the Wantland Stadium Suites.
Muller comes to UCO from Purdue University, where he serves as senior associate athletic director for external relations. Previously an associate athletic director at Oklahoma State, he will take over duties as UCO's seventh athletic director in July.
"I am thrilled to be the athletic director at the University of Central Oklahoma," said Muller before a large gathering of media, family and friends. "This is a very, very exciting time for me and I'm convinced this is a special place with special people. I am committed to growing this athletic department into one that will be a model program for collegiate athletics.
"I'm grateful to President Webb for giving me this opportunity. To see his vision for this university and this athletic department is really exciting and it's great to be here."
Muller has been at Purdue since August of 2006 and oversees all facets of external relations, including development, marketing and promotions and the John Purdue Club.
“Joe brings a wealth of experience to our athletic department that will help us continue to grow and compete on a national level in Division II athletics,” Webb said.
“I am extremely proud of all our coaches and athletic programs and I have every confidence that Joe's principled leadership and vision will ensure the continued development of our programs to help make them, and our student-athletes, the best they can be.”
A graduate of Stillwater High School, Muller earned bachelor's (Radio-TV Film) and master's (Mass Communications) degrees from OSU. He served as director of athletic marketing and promotions at OSU from 1985-90 and then was involved in the television industry for more than a decade.
Muller returned to Oklahoma State in 2002 as associate athletic director, serving in that capacity until going to Purdue. His duties at OSU included all development activities of the athletic department, including ticket operations, marketing and promotions and the OSU POSSE fund-raising operation.
Under Muller's watch, OSU raised over $90 million to renovate its football stadium, set football attendance records in 2003, '04 and '05 and had all-sport ticket revenues increase more than 115 percent.
Muller and his wife, Julie, have three sons, Jaxon, Brandon and Matthew.
UCO has 13 varsity athletic teams, five men (football, basketball, baseball, golf and wrestling) and eight women (basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball). The Bronchos advanced to NCAA Division II postseason play in nine of those 13 sports during the 2007-08 school year, highlighted by a sixth-place finish in wrestling, an Elite Eight appearance in men's basketball and an a Sweet 16 appearance in soccer.
